When I first came to CHS from El Roble, my first instinct was to keep my head down, stick with the people I know, and improve my (frankly terrible) time management skills. True to my word, that is what I did for the first few months. I stuck with what I knew, knowing that it worked for me. At the time, I was worried what would happen if I disrupted the careful school-life balance I had created over two years in El Roble.

However, I was quick to realize the downsides to this. I was managing my homework well, and I had good grades, but I was not having fun. With all that CHS had to offer, I was not branching out and trying anything new. Having realized this, I joined a film group. It was something I never thought I would do, but I ended up having a ton of fun doing it. Over a year at CHS, I slowly but surely got myself involved in the community— an effort I highly recommend to new freshmen. If you are nervous about taking a step outside your comfort zone and trying something new, just do it. If it turns out that you do not like it or just do not have the time for it, you can quit knowing that at least you tried.

Another thing to note: the amazing community at CHS. There is a massive selection of electives if you want to get credit out of your hobbies. Electives can range from art to something as obscure as the history of rock and roll. There’s really something for everyone, which is part of what makes CHS so special. If you are having trouble choosing, or if you are not sure what to do, you can always ask your counselor for guidance. Counselors are a great resource, especially for new students. They can help you decide what classes to take, where to find help if you are overwhelmed, and most of all act as a guide throughout your four years at CHS.

That is the biggest takeaway; you have four years here, and it is going to go by really fast. So get involved. Make new friends. Try something new, because you never know what you’re gonna end up loving.

The time has come, freshman year. That time when you are no longer at the top of the pyramid as a middle schooler but now the lowest on the food chain as a high schooler. If you are reading this, you either had a miserable first few weeks of high school or are being proactive about surviving your freshman year. As a junior who has been there, I have seen it all. Highschool may seem intimidating and challenging at times, but once you find what works best for you to survive, everything else will fall right into place. But for now? You have some learning to do. Here is some unsolicited advice to push you through the freshman panic alive.

Hallway hustle, walk, do not block. If you have not already noticed the absurd amount of people who stop and block the hallways in the middle of passing periods, it is extremely unnecessary and unhelpful when a group of people stop and block the hallway. Pro tip: hallways are for walking, not stopping and creating traffic jams. I get it, you are excited to gossip about the latest information you discovered about your new “situationship” but keep it moving. Upperclassmen have places to be and are probably trying to avoid a tardy. Take this advice into consideration and pick a side next time you walk the halls.

Procrastination. I myself lay a victim to its luring spell. If there is one thing you take from this article, let it be to not procrastinate. As a junior, I procrastinate on at least three assignments a week. I’m not proud of this but that’s why I’m here to tell you to avoid it at all costs. Sure, go to that volleyball game, hang out with your friends, and binge Gilmore Girls until Netflix asks if you’re still watching, but do not put off that essay due at 11:59. If you master the skill of getting your work done in class or the second you get home from school, then you will appreciate that for the rest of high school.

Go out and get involved. I write this as a member of the Varsity Sideline and Varsity Competition Cheerleading Teams, Track & Field, Interact Club, ASB Treasurer, Contributing Reporter of the Wolfpacket, Link Crew, AP student, and now the founder and president of Hands Of Hope Club. It may sound like a lot on my plate, and at times it definitely feels like it, but it certainly is all worth it. Being involved is one of the best decisions I have ever made as a high school student. I would not want to have my high school experience any other way. I enjoy being in the bustle of all social events and doing acts of service when there is an opportunity. I encourage you to do the same!

Find an exciting club to join with your friends, dress up on spirit days, have a little fun competition at our rallies, and support the pack at all of our upcoming sports events. Thank me later but attending these events and participating in activities will make your high school experience much less miserable. The only reason I am still hanging on is because of all the fun things I am involved in. I enjoy being a part of CHS and I encourage you all to do the same!

My name is Callum, I am a senior this year. Here is the advice I would give  Freshmen to ensure they get the most out of their high school years.

My first piece of advice is to get involved. Find activities that you are interested in. Join clubs or sports. Getting involved is the best thing that you can do to get the most out of high school. Joining activities is a great way to find a community that you can be a part of. Plus, if you join clubs and other activities, you are going to have lots of fun and make a lot of friends. However, do not join something just because it will look good on a college application. Pick activities that you enjoy and are genuinely interested in. Finally, I highly recommend trying out activities that you do not think you will like. There have been several activities where I have gone in not knowing if I would like it or not and have ended up loving it like speech and debate.

Make sure to get involved, but remember to not spend all of your time solely focused on getting into college. Yes, college is important and you should be thinking ahead about where you might want to apply. But, you should also focus on enjoying your time in high school. Don’t get so focused on college that you forget to live in the moment and enjoy this time. Make sure that you enjoy the activities that you do and make time to hang out with your friends and family.

Lastly, it is okay to ask for help. I highly recommend going to your counselor if you have questions about anything. They are always happy to help. I also encourage you to talk to your teachers if you do not understand the materials in class. They will find a time to help you out. There is also free tutoring in the library after school, which is another great place to get academic help that I highly recommend taking advantage of.

You are going to have a lot of fun in high school. My biggest piece of advice is to remember to relax and take time for yourself. Giving yourself a break will make it easier for you to complete everything and make school more enjoyable.